Voltage ratio recorder



Patented May 6, 1947 UNITED STATES vPATI:1\V1 oFFicE Theodore A. Rich, Schenectady, N. Y., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application December 24, 1943, Serial No. 515,509

` (c1. 2st-1.5)

Claims. 1

My invention relates to a method and apparatus for measuring voltage ratios and the relative polarity of the two voltages involved and producing immediately available records of such measurements. The method employed assumes that the voltages to be investigated are alternating voltages of the same frequency and have an interdependent phase relation which is either in phase or 180 degrees out of phase; and involves the steps of shifting the phase of one voltage 90 degrees relative to the other and recording the phase position of the vector summation thereof.

The invention is useful in special applications where conventional measuring methods are unsuitable, and the application which will be explained by way of an example is that of indicating the degree of accuracy with which a turret gun follows the movement of a gunre control directing system.

The features of the invention which are believed to be novel and patentable will be pointed out in the claims appended hereto. For a better understanding of my invention, reference is made in the following description to the accompanying drawing in which Fig. l represents apparatus for carrying out my invention for producing a record which shows the degree of integrity of an alternating current position signaling system; Figs. 2 and 3 show cyclic voltage relation curves explanatory of my invention; Fig. 4 shows the form of record obtained; Fig. 5 is an explanatory vector diagram; and Fig. 6 represents a multiple recorder. 1

In Fig. l of the drawing let it be assumed that I0 represents a large gun, the elevation and azimuth direction movements of which are operated by machinery, not shown, and such machinery is controlled either automatically or manually from elevation and azimuth directing motion transmission receivers of a gunre control system. Let device II represent the receiver for directing the gun elevation control. Mp invention is here represented as used to record the degree of accuracy with which the gun elevation follows the elevation directing movement of receiver II. It is to be understood that the gun I0 and elevation directing device II are diagrammatically represented and that the nature of the device Il, the manner of control of the gun Iii, and mechanism for such control are immaterial.

Connected to the movable element of receiver II is the rotor I2* of a conventional form of alternating current motion transmitter of such size as to be operated with receiver I I without imposing any erroneous load on such receiver Il. The rotor I2 has a winding excited from an alternating current source I3, and the transmitter has a three-phase stator winding I4 into which currents are induced and which have avdistribution ,sistance I8 and a. condenser fI9 across the lsource dependent upon the position of rotor I2. Connected so as to be rotated, when the gun Ill is elevated or depressed, is a rotor having a winding I5 cooperating with a three-phase stator I6. The device comprising therotor I5 and stator I6 is essentially similar to the transmitter just described and could be used with such transmitter as the receiver of a motion transmission system, but is not so used here. The stator windings i4 and I5 are connected together by leads l1, either directly or through intermediate apparatus that does not interfere with the present invention. It is noted that rotor I5 has a rotary position 90 degrees from the rotary position of rotor I2 relative to their stators. The arrangement is such that if the gun I0 correctly follows the movement of elevating directing instrument Il, rotor I5 will always have this S30-degree relation with respect to rotor I2. In such relative rotary positions the currents which flow in stator winding I6 from Winding I4 induce no voltage into winding I5, and the voltage across Winding I5 designated V2 is zero. However if the gun is not in the correct position as indicated by instrument II, a voltage will be induced into Winding I5. This voltage will be in phase with the voltage across winding I2, or 180 degrees out of phase, depending upon which way rotor I5 is displaced from the correct position; and this voltage will be proportional to the'displacement of rotor I5 from the correct degree position and of the same frequency as that of source I3. The device Iii-I6, which may be calleda correction instrument as here used, acts simply as an induction voltage regulator, the voltage of which is zero when in the QO-degree relation described. j.

It is now seen that when the voltage V2 across winding I5 is zero, gun I0 is in the correct position called for by director instrument II,'and that if V2 is not zero, the ratio V/V2 represents the error; and the inphase or -degree out-ofphase relation of voltages V and V2 indicates the direction of the error in the angular position of gun I0. Now the voltage V2 varies from zero upward and we are interested in the measurement of the ratio of V/V2, when V2 is very small and V/V2 is very large, in order to detect errors in gun angle of the order of a degree or less, and where the conventional voltage ratio measurement schemes are not suitable. Also we are interested in having the corrective information immediately available in usable form, and to know the direction of the error. l f Y In my voltage ratio measurement scheme, I make use of a voltage V1 which has a xed proportion with respect to V but shifted in phase therefrom by 90 degrees. This V1 voltage is obtained by connecting a circuit containing a re- 3 3 so that the voltage V1 is obtained across the condenser. V1 is made considerably smaller than V so as to be more readily compared with small values off V2. 'Ehen voltages V1 and V2 are added vectorially and the Vector resultant amplified by an amplier 20. The ampliiier may have one or more amplifying stages and the design need only' maintain the time voltage resultant goes through zero. It is noted that condenser I9 and Winding I which produce the voltages V1 and V2 are connected in series between the cathode and grid of amplifier 20. The amplified vector resultant of V1 and V2 is used to control the cyclic ring time of a thyratron tube 2|. 'Ihe output circuit of tube is connected to the grid of thyratron 2| by a grid leak circuit including condenser 22 and resistance 23. The plate circuit of thyratron 2| is supplied from a condenser 24 which is charged on the half-cycle when the grid of 2|'. is negative through arectifier 25 and transformer 25 from the supply voltage V.

- In Fig. 2 let curve V1 represent the voltage across condenser I9 and curve V2 the voltage produced. by winding l5. Then curve Vr represents the vector summation.- Assume that tube 2| is red when its grid goes positive. Then, under the conditions assumed, tube 2| will be red once each cycle at time t1, at which time condenser 2d dis- Y charges rapidly. It is evident that if voltage V2 is zero, the tube 2| will re earlier at time t2.

Now assume that voltage V2 reverses 180 degrees and has a smaller value than in Fig. 2; we obtain the curves of Fig. 3. With the reversed phase relation of V2 tube 2| will fire at a still earlier time ta. Hence, it is seen that the time of firing of tube 2| during a cycle may be considered as ameasure of V1/V2 and may be either plus or minus with respect to t2 and since both V1 and V2 are proportional to V, the time of firing of tube 2| during a cycle represents a measurement of the voltage ratio V/V; and in the application described represents likewise a measurement of the error, if any, and shows the direction of the error of' the angular elevation of` gun I0 as Compared'to the directing device At 2`|`is a step-up transformer with its primary in the output circuit of tube 2|, and with a recording spark gap in its secondary circuit across which a high voltagel spark sufficient to puncture a chart is produced each time tube 2| fires. The spark gap circuit' includes as one of the spark electrodes a pointer arm 28 driven by a synchronous motor 29 supplied from the source of voltage V in a continuous path across a record sheet' 3|. The. other spark' gap electrode is a metal platen 38 between which and the pointer 28 the recording chart 3| is moved by a suitable chart driving device 32. If the motor 29 drives the pointer at the rate of one revolution per cycle and the pointer is arranged to be over the platen during the positive half-cycle of the resultant voltage (Vf=V1|-V2), a record will be made of the phase-angle position of such resultant voltage.

pointer 28 is over the central line 34.of the chart.. and makes a record such as the point at 33a at. cycle time t2, Figs. 2 and 3. Assuming the pointer.- 28 to rotate clockwise ordownward across chart. 3| in Fig. 4, and the conditions are represented.

as in Fig. 2, the records below the center line 33h, and 33e are shown in their proper relation in Fig. 5. Record33b corresponds to Record 33e. corresponds to V1 V2 WithinA practicable limits, V1 may be any desired part offV, depending upon the values of. I8 .and |9, Fig. l. Thus, ifV1-:1/1o V, record 33h corresponds to p V l -fz-io. and record" 33e corresponds to The measurements-and records are independent of normal voltage variations. of the source V because V, V1', V2, and Vr. willall increase and decrease inthe same proportion. with. variations in V. Itis apparentthat similar results will be.

obtained if` the stylus28. is driven synchronously with the Vr voltage and therecording spark is discharged synchronously with the V voltage.

In the application` of. the invention described, the record, Fig. 4, given immediate .information as to how closely the gun elevation follows the director instrument. |'I and.' whether the gun elevation is toohigh-or. too low-,and the magnitude of the error. It may serve to indicate how good an automatic control'. functionsA if the control between instrument and the gun is automatic.

It may serve toshow. the elevation accuracy of a gunmans aim if'the gun is handled or controlled manuallyfrom the indication of instrument As a matterl of-v fact,A the gunman. may use instrument as a rough indication andA the record 3| vas a iine indication of the elevated position of his gun at any instant, .because the record produced at 3|'isthatof'the gun elevation error, if any, at the time the record is produced, and. is immediately available and'may have any amplification factorl desired. For instance, the record 33e, Fi'g. 4,' mayv represent a gun elevation angle error of. ve minutes low.

The record produced is of a permanent nature, and. mayv be referredto. immediately for correctinggunnery performance. during. a'battle, or may be. subsequently. studied.' for the purpose of instruction,.testing, makingadjustments, etc.

The nature ofthe apparatus is such that it can readily be adaptedfr producing such records at one or more points remote from the gun or other device under investigation, and. records.- of both gun elevation and azimuth accuracy, for example, may conveniently be produced on the same record sheetlas represented in Fig.. 6.' I In Fig. lieither or b'oth of;the stator winding I4 and iEmay be rotatively adjusted to introduce range correcting angles, for example, various angulanmeasurements .may b'e. added 'or subtracted between theVfand'Vevoltages andthe ratio ofY the. entering voltage V.'with..respect to theiinal voltage .V .determinedand recorded, asfabove described. If the transmitter I2-I4 be locked or held in a. xed position, the V voltage is, in effect, applied directly to the terminals of the device |5--IB and the latter becomes a transmitter of the angular position of gun I0, and the angular movement is then recorded. It follows from this that for this purpose the device I2-I4 may be eliminated entirely and the V voltage fed directly to the stator l5, using two of its three terminals as a common terminal for one of the voltage connections. It may be stated that while three phase windings are shown at I4 and I6, and they may be connected either in delta or in star, the current which flows in such windings and in the interconnections between them is a single phase current and not a three phase current.

It is observed that the recorder records the phase relation between the V and Vr voltages and can be used to record the phase relation between any two single phase voltages of the same frequency. For example, if V is in phase with the line voltage and Vr is in phase with the line current of a power circuit, the apparatus would record power factor.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the principle of operation of my invention together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof, but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative and that the invention may be carried out by other means.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In a voltage ratio measuring and recording system, an induction device having relatively rotary primary and secondary windings, means for supplying the primary winding with an alternating current excitation of voltage V, said windings having a range of relative rotation over which a single phase voltageVz is induced in the secondary winding varying through zero value and reversing in phase relation with respect to the primary voltage V, means for obtaining a V1 voltage proportional to the V voltage and 90 degrees out of phase therewith, means for vectorially combining the V1 and V2 voltages to produce a resultant voltage Vr, means for moving a record sheet, a stylus for recording on such record sheet, a synchronous motor for moving said stylus across such record sheet in a predetermined phase relation and synchronously with the V voltage, an electronic switch controlled by the Vr voltage for causing said stylus to produce instantaneous records on such record sheet in a predetermined phase relation and synchronously with the Vr voltage whereby the position of said 'records will indicate the value and phase relation of the V2 voltage relative to the V voltage.

2. Voltage ratio measuring and recording apparatus comprising a pair of induction transformer devices each having single phase windings A and a three phase winding, means connecting the three phase windings in parallel, a source of alternating current voltage V energizing one single phase winding, the windings on said devices being relatively rotatable and said devices having a reference relatively rotatable relationsln'p where the voltage induced in the other single phase winding is zero whereby departures from said reference rotary relationship causes a voltage V2 to be induced in said other single phase winding of a magnitude proportional to the departure from the reference rotary relationship and which is in phase or 180 degrees out of phase with the V voltage, means for deriving a voltage Vi proportional but 90 degrees out of phase with the V voltage, means for vectorially combining the V1 and V2 voltages to produce a resultant voltage Vr, means for moving a record sheet, a stylus which is moved across such record sheet in synchronous relation with the V voltage, and means controlled by the Vr voltage for causing said stylus to produce instantaneous records on such record sheet in synchronous relation with the Vr voltage.

3. Apparatus for continuously recording variations in the ratio between two single phase voltages V and V2 of the same frequency which are either in phase or 180 degrees out of phase and their in or out-of-phase relationship comprising means for producing a voltage V1 which is proportional to and 90 degrees out of phase with the V voltage, a circuit for vectorially combining the V1 and V2 voltages to obtain a vector resultant voltage Vr, means for supporting and moving a record sheet, recording means moving in a continuous path across the record sheet, and means for recording the position of said recording means on the record sheet once each cycle, one of said last mentioned means being operated in synchronism with the V voltage and the other being operated in synchronism with the Vr voltage.

4. Apparatus for measuring and recording the ratio between two single phase voltages V and V2 of the same frequency having an inphase or 180 degree out-of-phase relation, comprising means for obtaining a voltage V1 proportional to but 90 degrees out of phase with the V voltage, a circuit for combining the V1 and V2 voltages to produce a vector resultant voltage Vr, recording apparatus including means for moving a record sheet, a recording means which is moved in a continuous path transversely of such record sheet, and means for causing said recording means to produce instantaneous records on such record sheet once each cycle, said two last mentioned means being controlled one in synchronism with the V voltage and the other in synchronism with the Vr voltage such that the transverse positions of the instantaneous records on the record sheet are a measurement of the ratio of the voltages V and V2 at the instant when made and their phase relationship.

5. In a system for recording alternating current voltage relations on a current sensitive record sheet, comprising means for moving such a record sheet, a recording member which is moved in a continuous path passing adjacent to and across the path of movement of such record sheet in synchronous relation with one of the alternating current voltages V under investigation, and means for causing a record sheet penetrating electric discharge from said recording member once each cycle of the V voltage at a time in such cycle depending upon the phase relationship between the V voltage and another alternating current voltage Vr of the same frequency as V, said apparatus being adjusted to cause the electric REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date W011i? Dec. 13, 1940 Number 

